Grapple-Mounted Rope Controller for Arborist Rigging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Arborist rigging procedures lack a moveable foundation for rope controllers and anchors, leading to unsafe and inefficient handling of heavy tree limbs and trunks, as existing devices are either fixed or require manual strength, posing risks to workers.
Innovation Solution
A rope controller mounted on the jaw and a rope anchor mounted on the fork of a skid steer grapple, providing a moveable and secure system for applying friction to ropes, allowing controlled raising and lowering of loads with increased safety and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual rope handling is used without mechanical advantage devices, then the system remains simple, but worker safety deteriorates and control over heavy loads becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rope controller, rope anchor, and grapple into a single integrated assembly mounted on the skid steer. The rope controller barrel and rope anchor are both mounted to the grapple structure, merging multiple functions (friction control, anchor point, load handling) into one unified device that improves safety without requiring separate complex systems
Solution Approach 2:
The rope controller acts as an intermediary device between the load and the skid steer operator. It provides friction-based control that mediates the force transmission, allowing controlled lowering and raising of loads while protecting workers from direct exposure to rope tension and potential snap-back hazards
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed rope control devices are used, then the anchor point is stable, but the system lacks versatility for different working positions
Solution Approach 1:
The grapple-mounted assembly provides a dynamic foundation that can be repositioned by moving the skid steer to different locations and orientations. This allows the rope control system to adapt to various working positions and tree locations while maintaining stability during operation through the heavy grapple mounting structure
Solution Approach 2:
The grapple-mounted rope controller and anchor assembly serves multiple functions: it provides both the rope control mechanism and the anchor point, and can be positioned at various locations by moving the skid steer. This universal mounting approach eliminates the need for separate fixed anchor structures and adapts to different rigging scenarios
3Ease of operation
If rope friction control is applied, then load control improves, but rope heat generation increases due to continuous rubbing
Solution Approach 1:
The rope controller uses a cylindrical barrel surface around which the rope is wrapped. This curved surface distributes the friction contact along the length of the rope in contact with the barrel, reducing localized heat generation compared to point-contact friction mechanisms, while still providing effective control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables safe and efficient handling of heavy loads by providing a moveable foundation for rope control, reducing the risk of rope snapping and allowing workers to operate from a safe distance, while maintaining the ability to rapidly raise or lower loads as needed.
Implementation Method 1
The cylindrical rope controller barrel provides smooth and evenly applied friction to a rope handling a heavy load
Implementation Method 2
The rope anchor provides additional friction and a means to tie off the rope
Data Source
AI summary
A grapple mounted rope controller and rope anchor rigging device includes a cylindrical barrel friction surface mounted to a jaw of a grapple to control a rope used in an arborist's rigging procedure. A rope attached to a load is wrapped around the rope controller to control the raising and lowering of loads. The device also includes a cylindrical barrel friction surface mounted to a fork of a grapple that has a cleat permanently affixed to hold fast a load-bearing rope for a time. The rigging tool utilizes the mobility and mass of a skid steer to provide a flexible location for rigging and a fixed mass with which to support rigging of heavy objects such as tree limbs, trunks and other weights.